Day 1 - Sausalito to Muir Beach

It started with a bang as we climbed out of Sausalito (810 feet elevation gain) and continued up and down for a total elevation gain of 3100 feet. But, the weather and views were amazing and after all, it IS only Day 1. Tune in tomorrow or maybe Day 3 and see if we're this chipper. Today ended up being 12.2 miles.





This is heading up Wolf Ridge. We're heading up to the peak in the distance, where on the other side is the beach and where we picked up the Coastal Trail.










This is heading down the Coastal Trail toward Muir Beach. That's me off to the right. The next picture is where we ended before descending to Muir Beach.







Peak before descent.









We've arrived! Muir Beach.









Pelican Inn. This was supposed to be our lodging for tonight, but there were no rooms at the Inn so we went for two nights in Mill Valley at the Mountain Home Inn. Interesting hitchhiking from one to the other. We no sooner stepped onto the highway after leaving this inn when we were picked up by the Friendly Idahoans. She was a kick butt ultra marathon gal in from Boise with her husband to do the Dipsea Race. What this race lacks in distance, it totally makes up for in hills. Go "Boise". They dropped us in Mill Valley proper because we knew we'd be needing to shower with Technu after the amount of poison oak we saw and I'm sure came into contact with. Hitching out of Mill Valley (think all Mercedes and BMW's) wasn't so easy. Just when we thought it was going to be an ugly hike to the Inn (they don't call it "Mountain Home Inn" for no reason), this great surfer guy who just graduated from Santa Cruz (and is heading to Berkeley next year for a Masters degree) comes by and takes us to Mecca. Thank you, Man!

We've Technu'd and the lower extremities are beginning to stiffen up. We're supposed to start in Muir Beach tomorrow and end here, but I'm thinking maybe we run it backwards? Mark's still getting his head around the idea and since he's our official map dude, he's calling the shots on this one.

One side bar - If you have to choose between the Garmin Forerunner 405 (new version just came out, I think) and the Polar kick butt model, go with the former. I've about had it with my foot pod which is constantly running through batteries. They made it 1/3 the size of the last one, but it sucks the batteries just when you need them. This time, I had a fresh battery (smart, right?) and it plain didn't work. Grrrrr.......I can tell you they don't sell lithium batteries in the mountains.

The 8 Mile Cupcake

We took the ferry today from Sausalito to SFO. We did the Cable Car which I've never done during my many visits to the big city. Mark almost got his hiney smooshed by the side mirror of a truck because of course we were hanging off the side! We did the Embarcadaro, Ghirardelli Square, Union Square and The Pier. We tried the public transit system to get home on the cheap and when that didn't work out so well, hitchhiked with some very cool dudes across the Golden Gate Bridge. Quite the adventure.








Bottom of Lombard Street










Cable Car Ride





During our travels, I found Kara's Cupcakes. Now you dessert mongers will know that cupcakes are all the rage right now. But, despite the fact that I know they are just miniature cakes and great packaging, I am a total sucker for them. Kara's (all pink and pretty) were no exception. Now with such a luxury item, you must wait for the perfect moment (and cup of coffee) to partake and we were doing the ATV tour of SFO. Plus, you have to have a solid, but not overly large base layer (aka, lunch) on board beforehand as well.

When all was said and done, I carried this stupid cupcake 8 miles and all the way back to Sausalito before I found my perfect moment (not according to Mark). I can tell you it was awesome. Chocolate with Raspberry Buttercream. Ahhhhh.

All told, a great day. We had the cool dudes drop us off at the top of Sausalito so we could figure out how the heck we're going to cross the freeway tomorrow once we leave on our run. Just a small detail the writer failed to mention. But, I think we've got it figured.

Downtime before the suffering begins

We finally got to our hotel in Sausalito - Casa Madrona Inn. We're here two nights before the suffering begins. Good stuff this down time. That was until Mark decided he wants to "walk over the Golden Gate Bridge". "You know we're going to be running a little bit this week, right?" Yep. But, he wants to go and seems pretty excited about it. So, off we go. Beautiful (albeit, windy) day.







We made it the 4.5 miles from our hotel over the bridge; talking and snapping pictures along the way.

Turns out he accidently slept through his workout this morning and wanted some exercise. I should have known he had a mission of some kind.






It's interesting when there's nothing else to do besides talk and snap photos how quickly you realize why you married a guy. This last couple of years has been pretty challenging for us. We've got a couple of really amazing kids. Trouble is, parenting is much harder than we ever imagined. And life is crazy busy. But we try really hard and love our little people. We also really love the other "villagers" who make the journey do-able. Raising a family is simply hard work and you just never know what' going to come your way.

The longest we've both been away from the kids and together so far. I'm convinced it's necessary and I'm hoping that I convince him also before we're done (I don't think it'll take long) because I'm thinking that making this an annual event would be a good thing for all of us. Seems cheap insurance for making sure we still dig each other once they leave our humble abode.

Dinner found us having I swear the best sushi we've ever had. Decent prices for the city and just really great textures and flavor combinations. Good stuff and a great way to end a very nice day.